The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Letters to the Editor

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L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R

Lip service to gender equality

The editorial 'Trivialised: Women's accomplishments' (March 25) rightly accentuates the double-talk of our politicians. Though they boast of making legal arrangements for the rights and security of women in order to create gender equality, they continue to live in a time-warp of obsolete patriarchy.

Dronacharya awardee Sunil Dabas happens to be a member of the physical education faculty of D. Government College in Gurgaon. She was dressed in a pant-shirt when derogatory comments about her were made by Badshahpur Congress MLA Rao Dharampal. Being a coach as well as associate professor of physical education, she was wearing jeans and a full-sleeved shirt. Her job does not demand such a dress as sari as it may hamper her job on the playground.

The Congress MLA, invited as the chief guest at the college function, was expected to commend Dabas for her remarkable contribution in the field of kabaddi, which helped the country win six gold medals in various international events. Instead, he chose to make belittling comments in the presence of the college staff and others.

JAGDISH MITTER GANDHI, Gurgaon

Mantra for UPA

At a time when there is just a year to go for the general elections, the UPA government seems to be doing no significant work for the welfare of the common man.

It should set up a statutory prices regulatory commission, raise the income tax exemption limit across the board and totally exempt the pension income of pensioners above 75 years if it wants to garner the votes and support of the poor and the lower middle class.

The party should give the ticket to only those candidates with a clean public image. Moreover, it must cut down on poll expenses by restricting itself to only printing and distribution of pamphlets for campaigning. Police reforms are also required to be made. The police force must work with missionary zeal towards the safety and security of the people. With these measures, the UPA can hope of scoring a hat-trick.

MANJIT SINGH JUNEJA, Mohali

Undemocratic conduct

That Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil bowed to the pressure exerted by arrogant and unruly MLAs and suspended an Assistant Police Inspector who was earlier beaten mercilessly by some MLAs in the state Assembly on March 19, is too shameful for a democracy like ours. It was nothing but a show of ego by the MLAs who disrupted the state Assembly proceedings for days just to seek revenge for the suspension of their fellow MLAs.

The time has come when stricter rules for the smooth and trouble-free proceedings of Parliament and the state Assemblies should be introduced to evoke fear of the law among legislators. The membership of unruly members must be cancelled as a punishment. No discretionary power should be invested in the chairpersons or House committees which are always soft on such members.

SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL, Delhi

Ultimately, the expected has happened. The collective 'goondaism' has prevailed upon and the policeman who dared to stop the wrongdoing of the MLA, was not only assaulted by them but has been placed under suspension so that others also learn a lesson not to touch the privileged ones for breaking the law.

Such events have a demoralising effect on others, who will start looking elsewhere, when a wrong is taking place. Justice demands that the policeman should also be reinstated immediately while investigation continues. It will be a saving grace not only for him but for other law-abiding people who care for their duty.

PURAN SINGH, Chandigarh

MNREGA backfires

MNREGA is a good scheme, but its implementation is to enhance vote banks only and not the development of the country. Thus, it has become non-productive causing inflation, rising labour cost and less agriculture productivity. Same is the case with the food security Bill. It may prove to be a game-changer, but at the same time, it will be like feeding opium to small farmers, resulting in a long-term economical disaster.

SANTOSH SONI, Nagrota Bagwan

Rocking neglect
A few days ago, I visited the Rock Garden in Chandigarh. I was pained to see that this great tourist spot was losing its charm because of poor upkeep. Tourists visit the Rock Garden in a large number not only from the country but also abroad.
The canteen on the premises was not functioning which is a great damper to the enthusiasm of the visitors. Added to this is the sorry plight of the toilets, which were also stinking when I visited the spot two years ago.
The situation was the same when I contacted Nek Chand and complained about it. His reply was that the responsibility for all these shortcomings lay with the Administration. But he assured me that he would bring it to the notice of the Administration. Nothing seems to have been done.
When I enquired from Nek Chand, he told me that he had been waiting for the past three years for some additions. The planning, estimates, maps, etc were complete and there were enough funds for these additions. Now it depended on the Administration to complete the work.
I hope the Administration will wake up before the Rock Garden's attractions diminish.
ANSUYA RASTOGI, New Delhi